UH plans to build
Kona facility to track
nuclear explosions

By Susan Kreifels
Star-Bulletin

The University of Hawaii plans to build a facility in Kona to monitor distant nuclear explosions with an array of infrasound sensors and a laboratory.

The sensors will be built in the Kahaluu Forest on land owned by Bishop Estate. The facility will be part of the 321-station international monitoring system of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, and is important to national and international security, the university said.

It also may be used to monitor storms, volcanic eruptions and meteorites.

Construction is scheduled to begin after final approval from Bishop Estate and the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Biological and archaeological surveys of the selected area showed no sensitive artifacts, flora or fauna, the university said.

A public presentation on the operation is scheduled at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority conference room at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 29.

The site will open a new field of research in Hawaii and provide new employment and educational opportunities, the university said.

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